Rajasthan has recorded a significant decline in crimes against Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), with the state government attributing the improvement to stricter enforcement of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and closer monitoring of investigations. Rajasthan has witnessed an overall 28 per cent decline in atrocities against SC/ST communities between 2023 and 2025, said officials.
Chairing the State-Level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting in Jaipur on Tuesday, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma said ensuring the safety, dignity, and constitutional rights of SC/ST communities remains one of the government's highest priorities. He directed officials to take stringent action against offenders while promoting initiatives that strengthen social harmony across the state.
According to data presented during the meeting, the state reported year-on-year improvements including a 15.88 per cent decline in registered atrocity cases in 2025 compared to 2024 and 15.49 per cent further reduction in cases during the first half of 2026 compared to the corresponding period in 2025.
The Chief Minister said the trend reflects the impact of continuous monitoring, stronger policing, and improved implementation of legal safeguards and faster Investigations, quicker justice.
One of the major achievements highlighted during the review was the sharp improvement in case disposal. Officials informed the committee that nearly 68 per cent of cases registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act are now being disposed of within the mandated 60-day period, the proportion of cases resolved within 60 days has increased from 35.16 per cent in 2023 to around 47 per cent in 2025, reaching 67.88 per cent by July 2026 and the average investigation and disposal period has fallen dramatically from 128 days to just 53 days.
The Chief Minister instructed police and prosecution departments to work in close coordination to further improve conviction rates and ensure speedy justice in sensitive cases. To strengthen institutional support, Sharma said SC/ST Cells have already been established in 45 police districts, while the remaining six districts will soon receive dedicated units.
He also directed authorities to conduct district and sub-division-level vigilance committee meetings regularly, organise Panchayat-level monitoring meetings twice a year to promote communal harmony and address local concerns promptly and a special drive for long-pending cases.
Expressing concern over cases pending for extended periods, the Chief Minister ordered a special campaign to expedite investigations that have remained unresolved for more than a year.
He instructed officials to ensure that sensitive cases receive priority investigation, continuous monitoring of all registered cases is maintained and delays at any stage of investigation or prosecution are minimised.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of financial assistance provided under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Sharma directed officials to ensure that victims receive financial support promptly at every eligible stage, from the registration of an FIR to the final court verdict.
Officials reviewed financial assistance released over the past three years, progress of the online assistance portal, pending compensation cases and status of chargesheets and investigations. The Chief Minister also instructed district administrations and police stations to regularly monitor pending compensation cases so that eligible beneficiaries do not face unnecessary delays.
The committee reviewed the functioning of grievance redressal mechanisms, including helplines, help desks, and online portals. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure real-time monitoring and swift resolution of complaints received through both state and national helplines.
Officials also informed the meeting that random verification of cases closed through Final Reports (FRs) has been increased from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, strengthening oversight and accountability.
Concluding the meeting, Sharma emphasised that officials from the Police Department, Social Justice and Empowerment Department, and Prosecution Department must work with greater coordination and sensitivity to safeguard the rights, security, and dignity of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Premchand Bairwa, Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Avinash Gehlot, committee members, Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, Director General of Police Rajiv Sharma, and senior representatives from the National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, along with other senior state officials.
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